A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help households in The Meadows save hundreds of pounds.

The Nottingham Energy Partnership are looking for six volunteers to become energy champions, promoting home insulation and helping people apply for grants.

The energy champions will be part of a new Meadows Eco Project designed to get more local people insulating their homes and installing energy-efficient boilers.

They will be given training on home energy-efficiency and gain work experience which could help in finding paid employment.

Michael Howard is the home and community energy efficiency officer at the Nottingham Energy Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation working in the city.

He said: "There's only one of me and we want to get people out into the community to encourage more residents to take part.

"The scheme is being piloted in The Meadows but it is hoped that it will spread further. Eventually we would like to have people around the city spreading the word."

The final details of the grants are not yet known but private households will be eligible for a possible 60 per cent subsidy toward brick-wall insulation, while certain homes will be eligible for replacement boiler grants.

The partnership has also secured separate funding from Scottish and Southern Power to insulate three houses in The Meadows free of charge and will be completing work in the coming weeks.

Margaret Spencer, chairman of the Old Meadows Tenants and Residents Association, said: "It's particularly good for the Old Meadows where we have got solid walls. Insulation could work wonders.

"Anything that can save a bit of money on bills is great. I think the work experience aspect is brilliant. It's an encouragement for people to find work and give them skills."

Community energy group, Meadows Ozone Energy Services (MOZES) is working with the Nottingham Energy Partnership. MOZES chairman Julian Marsh said: "This will be opportunities for people to reduce the bills. Everybody should get involved, we need to do this.

"There are a huge number of houses that just leak energy, it's a waste."

Bridge Ward city councillor Mike Edwards also welcomed the scheme.

"It's obviously a good thing to do," he said. "It's all welcome help – we are helping the poorest to save money and it's local jobs for local people."

Comments

No, its all about hitting targets so they can apply for a massive handout from the European Social Fund, if they hit certain targets they get a guaranteed minimum payout which more than covers the costs of the grants. If they hit other targets they can apply for several other European sourced funds, so its all about money.